A/N: Oh, God! I knew that with the first chapter I was going to get positive and negative reviews. Don't get me wrong, all reviews are great, but it was going to be very risky for me to write all of the Ichiruki in the beginning and the Ichihime problems. I was debating on having the story start out all rainbows and butterflies, but then where would be the fun in that?!
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters of Bleach or anything like that.
Ichigo sat up in the bed. There was a weird noise coming from the bathroom and Orihime wasn't in the bed.
He flipped the covers off of him and walked across the room. He could see the lights on from under the door.
"Orihime…?" Ichigo let his knuckles lightly knock against the wood.
He heard her cough once more and flush the toilet. The faucet went on and off, then the door soon opened afterwards.
"What's wrong?" she asked as she tied her robe tighter against her.
"What? Wait, that's my line."
Orihime smiled, walked past him over to the bed and began to fix the covers. "Ichigo, I'm fine."
"You're obviously not fine. You were just throwing up, were you not?" He scratched his head. "Do you think you'll be okay for tonight? We can always postpone our dinner."
"I said I'm fine. Something just didn't sit right in my stomach…" She fluffed up her pillows. "Our anniversary will be amazing."
Ichigo folded his thick arms. "Orihime… Want me to drive you to the doctor?"
She shook her head and pushed her long hair to one side of her shoulder. "No. It'll pass."
Ichigo sighed. He crossed the room in a few steps and wrapped his arms around her from behind. "I'm trying, Orihime. You know that." He kissed the back of her exposed neck. "I'm trying…"
He could hear her taking large breaths.
"I have to get Tamotsu ready…" She pushed his hands aside a hurried out the room.
Ichigo sat down on the side of the bed. He didn't know what it was, but ever since he asked for another child, Orihime had purposely been avoiding intimacy.
Yes, they still had sex. About two or three times a week if they were lucky. Sometimes it was hard getting Tamotsu to bed.
But he'd tried everything. Of course coming home late wasn't helping. But Ichigo just thinks that Orihime is honestly spooked about having another child. Especially with their UI diagnosis, things were going to be… complicated.
…
"Are you two trying to kill me? Or yourselves?"
Ichigo shook his head. Kisuke could be overdramatic or under dramatic but never the in between. "All we want to hear is if it's possible again."
"It's possible. It's very possible, I've never said otherwise. But it's dangerous and risky."
"Dr. Urahara." Orihime took a deep breath. "Kisuke. We wouldn't have come to you if there was any other way. We're having this naturally and we want… we need your guidance."
Ichigo nodded. "We just want a second chance."
Kisuke shook his head. "You know the diagnosis. The first time was astonishing that you lasted that long. The second time, Tamotsu, was a complete miracle. He doesn't even have complications. But if you try for a third time, and it makes it, you'll be in for a long ride."
"We know it's a slim chance."
Kisuke sighed. There would be no way getting through to this couple. "In the womb so many things could go wrong… Then there's prematurity and brain and emotional development… But if this is what you want… who am I to tell you no."
Ichigo looked at his wife and frowned. When they went there that morning she looked uneasy, and now she looked downright sick.
"We just need you to help us get through this safely. Isn't that right Orihime?"
The woman nodded slowly, thinking, feeling, seeing something entirely out of that room. Out of this world.
"How about we sleep on this, and I'll contact you both tomorrow."
…
"Good Morning, Orihime!"
"Morning, Michiru."
Orihime walked over to the window and flipped the closed sign to open.
"Today's the day! How long has it been?"
Orihime sighed happily. "Seven years."
"Wow. Seven years with one person." Michiru shook her head. I don't know how you do it! I can't even make a relationship last past five months…"
In a whole, Orihime has been with Ichigo for nine years. But if Orihime was truly honest with herself, then have only been together for six. Yes, she met Ichigo in college and dated him for two years. And they were married for three years before they had Tamotsu who is four. In those hollow three years of her life she was more alone with him then she ever was by herself.
But that's all changed now.
"Hey, where's little Tammy today?" Michiru and Orihime walked to the kitchen.
"He's at preschool." Orihime went to the back and tied on an apron. "But I'm considering taking him out. His teacher isn't a nice lady." She rinsed her hands off.
"Oh yeah. She's one of those."
"She's always giving him attitude. It's completely ridiculous because he's only four. Four!" Orihime began rolling out her pastry dough. Normally she was at work an hour earlier so that the sweets were made before customers came. "I'm having a parent-teacher conference with her next week. Me and Ichigo have to be there or she wouldn't do it."
Michiru clicked her teeth. The young girl was just happy to be hearing some juicy information. "Have you considered pulling him out?"
"That's what we're going to talk about. I know Tamotsu is… advanced for his age, but she doesn't have to be so harsh." Orihime looked around. "Have you seen Ryō? She's normally on time."
Michiru shrugged. "She said she had a doctor's appointment or a colonoscopy or something like that."
"Michiru!"
"I'm kidding! She's at the dentist."
The door bell gave a little tinkle a Michiru shuffled to the front to take the customer's order.
…
Ishida flipped through the notes and opened up his laptop. "So we'll start out by discussing the timing. We have to strike while the iron is hot."
"Well time is money, is it not?" The client smiled.
Ichigo frowned.
"Also, this whole merger is based off of trust. We need to know the truth at all times. If the wrong information is leaked, we'll be able to fix it." Ishida slid his glance to Ichigo briefly.
Ichigo cleared his throat. He was here to work, not sulk around like a baby. "Okay, so if we're going to do this, we're going to do it big. I want the press release to be on all the major radio stations, papers and magazines. It needs to be positive, but not too overdone. Too much hype can be deadly."
A man standing behind the client took off his shades. "But it's a night club? Shouldn't we want the hype?"
Ichigo rolled his eyes. He hated when others who don't know diddily squat about PR tried to tell him what was what. "We want to subtly give the people the message. They have delicate minds that need nurturing. We can't jam the product down their fucking throats."
The man in shades paled and slid his glasses back on.
The client took a sip of his drink and squinted at Ichigo. He liked the way he thought.
"If you all could excuse me for a minute," Ichigo said as he got out of his chair. He then gave Ishida a nod signaling him to finish the meeting.
Outside the room, Ichigo took out his phone and dialed his wife's number. He walked down the hall until he reached the elevator.
"Hey! Ichigo! Is there anything wrong?" Orihime's sweet voice filled his ears.
"No, I was wondering if you're ready for tonight."
"Of course I'll be ready!"
Ichigo stepped into the metal box and checked his watch. It was already six o'clock. "I'm having a car come pick you up from the house around eight. Okay?"
"Okay. I already asked Ururu to baby-sit. She's good with Tamotsu."
He couldn't wait to see her face when he handed her that necklace.
"That's perfect." Ichigo walked down the corridor until he reached his office.
"So, are you telling me where we're going?"
Ichigo smirked. "Orihime, you know me. Of course I'm not going to tell-" Ichigo's phone gave the beeping sound indicating that there was another call waiting for him. "Orihime, give me a second, I'll call you back." Ichigo quickly went through his missed calls and found her name.
The man cursed under his breath. He knew she wouldn't call unless it was important. She wouldn't risk it.
Ichigo dialed the calling number and it didn't have to ring but once before she picked up.
"Ichigo, I need you to get down here right now."
"Rukia, you're calling me at work. It's too close and we could be traced."
"Ichigo, my brother won't help. He said I'm on my own because he doesn't believe me."
Ichigo sigh and pushed a hand through orange hair. "I'll be there."
…
Orihime let out a huge sigh of relief as she zipped up her dress. If was a perfect fit! She didn't know if the dark blue backless dress still would because she brought it out of excitement five weeks back. She was sure that in the five week span she had gotten bigger.
Orihime look in the mirror once more and smoothed back the sides of her slick burnt-orange ponytail. She turned around and looked at Tamotsu, who was observing silently from the bed, expectantly. "How does mommy look?"
Tamotsu clapped his hands and smiled. "You look beautiful, mommy!"
Orihime giggled and gave Tamotsu an Eskimo kiss. "Flattery will get you everywhere young man."
The door bell rung and Orihime walked Tamotsu down the stairs. She opened the door and saw Ururu standing in the threshold.
"Hello Ururu." She stood aside to let the young girl in.
"Good evening, Kurosaki-sama."
Orihime giggled. It was way too formal even though her status was very high. "Please. Just call me Orihime."
Ururu nodded.
"Well, my car will be around in five minutes and you already know your way around the house."
Ururu bent down to Tamotsu's level and smiled sweetly. "I know me and Tamotsu will have a wonderful time!"
Tamotsu blushed.
"I already have dinner in the oven and money on top of the mantelpiece if anything goes wrong." Orihime paused. "And, can I ask a quick question?"
Ururu placed her bag of toys on the ground. "Sure."
"Which shoe looks better?" Orihime shifted her weight on both feet. On one foot was a black flat with a bow on the front, and on the other was a four inch heel with a thin buckle around the ankle. "I mean I want to wear flats but that's too casual for fancy dinner. But when I wear heels I always feel like a buffoon. But it's our anniversary dinner so I should look presentable. But then again, he won't care what's on my feet because I'm his wife and it shouldn't really matter."
Ururu took a deep breath. Orihime then regretted asking her because Ururu probably knew less about fashion than she did.
"Um… Maybe you should go with the heels…?"
…
"The man you asked for is here to see you, Sir."
The man looked at the intercom and responded. "Thank you Cirucci. If you would be so kind as to let him in…"
In seconds, Cirucci was sashaying into the room with a tall, broad, blue haired man following her. Her skirt was hitched up too high as usual, and she had that same arrogant look on her face.
"Here he is, Sir." She gave a little bow and smiled too sweetly. "Would that be all?"
"Yes. You may leave us now."
The heavy whit doors closed behind her.
"Please sit, Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez." The first man pointed to the chair in front of the desk. "We have some business to discuss…"
…
Orihime took the hand of the valet and stood out of the car on slightly wobbly feet.
"Thank you," she whispered to the man and he gave her a nod.
Orihime walked up the stairs and into the front doors, held open by two men. The woman walked up to the front desk and waited for the hostess to appear.
"Hi, I have a reservation for two. Kurosaki."
The hostess nodded and showed her to her seat. The woman had way too much make-up on and even more attitude.
Orihime smiled giddily and only asked for water when the waitress came around.
"Will that be all Miss?"
Orihime folded the crisp menu. "For now. My husband is coming soon. It's our anniversary and I don't want to start without him."
The waitress nodded in understanding. "I'll be back with that water!"
Orihime placed her hands in her lap and looked around the room. The place was packed and fairly loud. Mostly couples, the people drank and ate their dinner with wide smiles on their faces. She wondered when Ichigo would come.
Orihime stared at the older couple clear across the room from her. She wondered if they were celebrating their anniversary. Orihime could just see her and Ichigo staring at each other like that twenty years from now. Or at least she hoped.
"Here you go! One water." She placed the cool glass cup in front of her view of the older couple. "Anything else for the time being?"
Orihime looked around the room once more for Ichigo. "Could I have a bread basket while I wait?"
The waitress smiled. "Of course. I'll be back in a minute."
…
"Rukia, I really have somewhere to be."
Rukia paced in the small room back and forth. "I know, but you can't leave now."
Ichigo groaned and rubbed his face. He didn't think he could stay any longer. His phone was off and Orihime was waiting for him. "Rukia we've been over this. I'm doing the best I can do with what I've got. They can only keep this story secret for so long."
"I know. But I can't stay here any longer…"
Ichigo stood up and slid back on his jacket. "I'm working on that. Police haven't confirmed anything yet so you're not under arrest yet. This place is just to keep you low." Ichigo sighed. "And without the help of your bastard of a brother, the media will be all over this."
"Nii-sama has his reasons… I know he does."
"Well when you figure it out, give me a call." Ichigo picked up his briefcase and reached the door.
"Ichigo, wait. Just stay for another hour. A half even… I just don't want to be alone…" She knew it was a selfish thing to ask but she just couldn't deal.
The man stopped and stood quietly for a minute. Ichigo needed to get to Orihime. He wanted to give her his gift, his love and affection. It was their night, her night.
He put his briefcase back on the ground and slowly took off his jacket.
He would only stay for a few.
He would make it to dinner in time… he would.
…
Orihime finished her last piece of bread and took another sip of water.
By now, half of the previous couples had gone and a new batch replaced them.
The woman huffed, checked her watch and huffed again. It was already nine and Ichigo still hadn't walked through the door. Maybe he was being held up at the office.
"Are you ready to order now?" Orihime's waitress was back. She had been coming back everything ten minutes.
"No, I'm still waiting…" Orihime looked down then back up. "...But could I get another bread basket please…?"
...
Ichigo drove through the piling cars until there were vehicles in front and back of him.
"Oh no! No!" He hoped that he could skip the late night rush hour.
God he didn't want to make Orihime upset.
He was already so late and his phone died on him about an hour ago. It needed to be charged and he hoped, prayed that Orihime wasn't stressing out.
He was going to make it. He had to.
…
"Ichigo…? Where are you? It's… half past ten… I'm really disappointed in you…" Orihime took a deep breath. She was so over this…
"Excuse me, Miss…"
Orihime looked up to see the hostess with too much make-up and her waitress. "I'm sorry ma'am, but we're going to have to ask you to leave…"
For a second, Orihime sat stunned. She had never been in this situation before.
"But... But I haven't even been here for long..."
The hostess sucked her teeth in annoyance. "You've been here for about two hours. You haven't ordered anything and you're taking up space."
"I-I understand…" Orihime stood and grabbed her purse.
"I'm sorry…" the waitress mumbled to her quickly.
Orihime smiled but said nothing. She walked out with her head held high, but her heavy heart weighed her to the ground.
…
The taxi pulled up by the sidewalk in front of the house.
Orihime paid the man. "Thank you."
"Rough night?" The man asked.
"Yes, alittle." She said polietly and pushed open the door and slammed it shut.
She walked up the driveway, almost breaking her ankles because of the four inch heels. "Stupid shoes," she mumbled as she unlatched the buckle around her foot.
Orihime finally made it to the door and found Tamotsu sleeping on Ururu's lap. Orihime placed a hand on the girl's shoulder and gently shook her awake. "Would you like me to drive you home?"
"No." Ururu yawned and stretch her arms. "I only live down the road. How was your night with Kurosaki-san?"
The woman smiled. "I've seen better days."
Orihime helped Ururu gather her things off of the floor. Tamotsu normally put his toys away himself, but when Ururu was around he always forgot his manners.
That's when Ichigo burst through the door.
"Orihime, I'm so sorry!" He had a handful of yellow flowers in his hands.
Orihime simply stood and handed Ururu's her bag. "Do you still need a ride home?"
"No, I'm good to go." She slid Ichigo a glance and gave the parents a bow, "thank you Kurosaki-sans," and scurried out of the house.
The living room was silent for a good five minutes before he spoke again. "Orihime, time got away from me-"
"I don't want to talk about." Orihime straightened up the pictures on the coffee table.
"But we need to-"
"But we don't!" Orihime spun around and immediately calmed herself. Tamotsu was sleeping on the sofa and the last thing he needed to see were his parents arguing.
"Ori-"
"Stop saying my name. Stop talking to me." She took a deep breath. "Just leave me alone."
Ichigo grabbed her forearm and spun her around. "I'm trying to explain myself!" he hissed.
"I don't want an explanation! I want you to be there when you tell me you will." Orihime wrenched her arm out of his grip. "I don't want to talk about this!"
"But we have to!"
"Fine! You wanna talk about how you missed our seven year anniversary dinner? Or how you're never around anymore? Or when you promise me one thing but do the exact opposite…?"
"Look… I'm trying to tell you where I've been…"
"Well guess what. I don't want to know.
Ichigo took a step back. He had never known Orihime to be so bold. He's seen this side of her very rarely.
Orihime picked up Tamotsu's limp form off of the sofa and carried him up the stairs.
"Mommy," he wrapped his arms around her neck and legs around her waist. "Mommy… I'm tired…" The weight of his head fell on her shoulder.
…
Orihime pushed her fingers through Tamotsu's brown hair as he curled himself up into a ball.
The pair lay sprawled out on Ichigo and Orihime's bed. After their argument, Orihime told him to sleep on the sofa, but now she was starting to regret it.
Yes, he was wrong, and yes, she had every right… But she loved her husband no matter what. The woman could never stay mad at him for long, which was her greatest weakness.
Orihime pulled the covers up against Tamotsu some more and slowly crawled out of bed.
She then tiptoed down the steps and crossed the living room where Ichigo was sleeping on the couch. The television was still on, playing the black and white movie The Bad Seed.
Orihime lifted his blanket and slid beneath it so she was next to him.
Ichigo groaned and opened one eye, and saw long locks of burnt-orange hair, then two. "Orihi-"
"Shh." She placed a finger on his lips. "Never do it again, okay… Just stop with the lies…"
Ichigo enveloped his arms around her and pulled her closer. "I'm… more than sorry. Beyond it. What I did was irresponsible, unacceptable… completely idiotic."
She grabbed the back of his neck and pulled him down into a kiss. "Things aren't that bad you know..." Ichigo rubbed his thumb across her cheek as she continued to talk. "You're a good dad... Tamotsu adores you. You have a great job that you're great at. We finally have a child to share this big house with..."
"And I have one beautiful wife to come home to..."
Orihime blushed. "That too." She lifted her hand high in the air. "I promise that I will ease up on you coming home late."
Ichigo grinned and lifted his hand too. "And I promise that I will start coming home earlier."
"When business calms down, will you take me on a proper anniversary dinner?" Orihime stared up into his amber eyes.
"I'll do more. I'll send us on a vacation."
Her face brightened. "Really? Where?"
"How about Hawaii. We'll dance in the sunset and swim with the fishes, and surf with the dolphins."
Orihime moaned and snuggled down closer next to him. "That sounds amazing."
"Oh, it will be." Ichigo lifted her chin with two fingers. He wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her even closer. "And I promise it'll just be us. You'll have me all to yourself."
"Good." She tugged on the back of his neck again and kissed him softly. "Because that's all I want."
Two days later.
Orihime gave the door a tiny knock and walked in to see Ichigo sitting at his office desk.
"Hey, I brought you some lemonade!"
Ichigo looked up briefly. "Hey!"
"Well you seemed a little hassled… Is there anything I can do?"
Ichigo shook his head and sighed. "I'm fine… just a lot of work with this new client."
Orihime came around the desk and rubbed his shoulders. "I know you're stressed, but I can help!" Orihime looked over his shoulder. "What are you promoting this time?"
"Just a night club." Ichigo quickly covered his work. "It's going to be fantastic apparently. What a load of bull…" He looked up at her. "You know all this paperwork is boring."
Ichigo made to get up, but Orihime pushed him back down in his chair. "What do you need? I'll go get it!"
"I was just about to get a few papers I left in the car..."
"I'll get them!" Orihime began to walk out the office.
"Orihime! That's not necessary, really."
"No, no. I want to do it!" Orihime hopped down the stairs and to the car. The sun was going down and the sky was getting darker and darker by the second.
Orihime opened the car door and looked around for a pile of papers… when something caught her eye…
Upstairs, Ichigo groaned and tugged on his hair. He stood and walked back and forth in his office.
He wanted to keep Orihime as far away from this client as possible. He didn't want her to know who he was and Ichigo sure as hell didn't want to work with him.
Ichigo looked down at the papers. He really didn't want her to find out at all...
"Ichigo… What… Wha-what is this…?" Orihime could hear her heat drumming slowly, but the tempo would soon build.
Ichigo continued looking down at his papers. "Orihime, what is it now..."
Orihime bite her lip and shook her head. "I don't understand... Ichigo… look at me." The volume raised
"Orihime…" he huffed.
"Look at me!" she shouted.
"What!?"
She held up the earring. "What is this?"
Ichigo threw his hands in the air in exasperation. "It looks like an earring."
"But I don't own any gold hoop earrings… Not one pair…" Orihime shakily held it up higher. "So I'm asking you, who does it belong to?"
Realization soon smacked Ichigo hard across the face. He immediately walked over with his hand out defensively. "It's not what you think…"
"No…no, no, no…" Orihime gave him a push on the chest. "Ichigo! No!" She gave him another shove. "You keep lying to me! I can't do it anymore!" Orihime kept at it until she had him pushed into the hallway. "You've humiliated me for the last time!"
"Orihime. Listen to me!" Ichigo grabbed both her arms and tried to look into her eyes.
"Shut up." She pushed on his chest and arms, hoping with all her strength to get away from him. "Leave me alone, don't touch me!" Orihime fell on the ground and took a deep breath. "Ichigo... I can't do this anymore…"
"But let me explain to you!" He got to his knees and tried to help her up but she kicked him away.
"I can't- Get out!" She pulled her arms away from him and pointed to the door down stairs. "Just go… please."
"But-"
"I think we need some time apart…" Orihime shook her head again. "I can't take the lies anymore… Please just get away from me."
"Ple-"
"I said get out!"
Without another word, he rose from his knees and walked down the steps. Orihime laid down flat so she as staring at the hallway ceiling. She didn't look anywhere else until she heard the front door close.
Then she broke down in tears.
"Mommy…? Where's daddy going?" Orihime looked up to see Tamotsu looking out through his bedroom door.
"Tamotsu, get to bed." He hesitated. "Right now!"
Tamotsu slowly closed his door and crawled back into bed.
You all remember the flashforward from chapter one, right? Well that will tie into chapter five and six. And I know that's a few weeks away, but trust me, it'll be worth it.
Also, the next chapter will be a bit of a shocker. A few things will happen that aren't so pretty, and some will be very handsome. But no spoilers though!
Oh, and I'm updating every Sunday as usual.
Rocka.